A study of 525 3-4-year-old children in nursery schools and day-care centres was carried out to assess occlusal relationships and the presence of spacing or crowding of teeth. No significant differences in occlusal relationships were found between boys and girls (P > 0.05). Bilateral straight terminal planes of molars and class 1 canine relationship were the most prevalent features (74.5% and 73.3% respectively). Most of the children had 'normal' vertical and transverse occlusal relationships. The most common sites of spacing were mesial to maxillary canines and distal to mandibular canines. 32% of the children were found to have generalized anterior segment spacing, 4% showed exclusively anthropoid spaces, and 18% had either contact between all the teeth or crowding in the anterior region.

Aqueous extracts, 1% (w/v), of Nigerian chewing sticks derived from the African plants Serindeia warnecki, Prosopsis africana, Pseudocedrela kotschyi, and Anoigeissus schrimperi were found to effectively inhibit the attachment of S. mutans 6715wt13 to glass or saliva-coated hydroxy-apatite beads. It was shown that the active compounds in these extracts interfere with binding of the bacteria, resulting in reduced adherence. Although no large effect upon the total extracellular glucan synthesis was noted, there was a 15% reduction in the water-insoluble polysaccharide synthesis. Chemical and spectral analysis of the active constituent from S. warnecki showed this material to have the characteristics of a high molecular weight polyphenolic tannin. 1% aqueous solution of tannic acid was also shown to promote similar in vitro adherence inhibition as the tannin-like substance from S. warnecki. In conclusion, the results imply that chewing stick constituents appear to play an important role in restricting plaque accumulation and caries incidence.

White MTA showed a higher clinical and radiographic success rate when compared to FC as a pulpotomy agent in vital primary molars, and it has a potential to become a replacement for FC in primary molars.

There appears to be no significant age related caries distribution pattern in Nigerian preschool children. The second primary molars appear to be more susceptible to caries in preschool children in Nigeria. The oral hygiene status appears to be a risk factor for rampant caries in these children.

Background: To identify the causes of tooth extraction in a tertiary pediatric center in an urban centre in Nigeria. Method: Data was collected prospectively from 400 children attending one of the four tertiary dental clinics. The demographic profile, the indications for tooth extraction, and the tooth extracted were noted. Data was compared with result of study conducted 21 years back in the same center, and data from two other tertiary health centers in the region. Results: The prevalence of tooth extraction was 58.8% in the study population. This occurred in significantly more male patients. Tooth loss was commonest amongst the 7-10 age group. Dental caries was the main cause of tooth loss for all age groups. Most patients (66.0%) lost a single tooth. The lower molars were the most frequently lost teeth (47%). Indications for tooth extraction were similar in the region. Conclusion: Dental caries remains the most common cause of tooth extraction. The indications for tooth extraction remain the same but the prevalence of tooth loss per cause of tooth loss had not changed over the last 21 years, and across institutions in Southwestern Nigeria.